Social Media
Holiday deals that pop up on your social media feed, (Facebook, Instagram or TikTok), are worth double checking as they may be fake. Links and attachments promising bargain trips sometimes lead to malicious websites or viruses that are then downloaded to your device, stealing your bank account details or personal information.
You might appear to be on a trusted site, but fraudsters are able to create duplicates of well-known websites – victims presume they are on the official website and hand over funds. Fraudulent sites may also take you to another, unknown site to provide payment.
Protect yourself:
Wherever possible, avoid clicking through from your social media account and book trips with reputable travel agents instead and always check the URL before clicking, by using a link checker tool such as Google Safe Browsing Safe Browsing – Google Safe Browsing
See also: Report your lost or stolen passport – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
QR code parking
Many car parks now require online payment using a QR code. Scammers are replacing the QR code with their own which directs the user to a fake site where they put in their payment details to which the fraudsters then have access.
Protect yourself:
Look out for signs where a code appears to have been stuck on top of an official one. If cash payment is not available, try to pay by phone in order to check the phone number beforehand to ensure it’s legitimate.
USB charge points
You may be offered a free phone-charging point at the airport which may tempt you if you have run down your battery by showing tickets and boarding passes on your mobile device, but fraudsters can use the technology of charging points to access information stored on your phone. Through the USB ports, scammers can introduce malware and monitoring software on to devices, giving cyber criminals the ability to access your personal information — from emails to credit card numbers.
Protect yourself:
As there is no way to check if a USB connection has been hacked, perhaps invest in a portable power bank (A portable power bank is a battery that resides in a special case that has a specific circuit that controls power flow. It is a portable battery designed to recharge electronic gadgets when you don’t have access to a regular wall charger. Power banks range in size from slim, pocket-sized devices up to larger, high capacity power banks, and can be used to charge cell phones, tablets, cameras, portable speakers, gaming consoles or laptops). They normally last and for three full charges before they need recharging. and should be held in your carry-on bag.
Passport cloning
Recent research shows that almost one in four of those scammed when booking travel arrangements have had their identity cloned after submitting their passport details to a fake website, according to the cyber security company McAfee.
If you’re a victim of identity theft it can lead to borrowing in your name that may have a direct impact on your personal finances. It could also make it difficult for you to borrow on credit cards or get a mortgage until the matter is resolved.
Protect yourself:
Be extremely cautious if you are asked for passport details by anyone other than a genuine airline. If you’re in any doubt, call your airline directly. Also, double check that you are are dealing with a reputable booking agent.
Some individuals also choose to use 2 step authentication protection through online services such as Dropbox for further protection How to enable two-step verification – Dropbox Help
Cashpoint skimmers
Criminals use skimmers in order to steal your payment card details. Skimmers are gadgets that attach to the front of a cash machine and can read a credit or debit card’s magnetic strip. This information is then used to clone cards and spend your money. Six million sets of stolen credit card details were located on the so-called dark web, say cyber security specialist NordVPN.
They can also occasionally found in card payment devices in eateries and shops.
On home soil, you will be familiar with how an ATM looks and, hopefully, will be able to spot any kind of device attached. However, when abroad, the unfamiliarity of the ATMs may mean that you have less chance of noticing anything unusual. Skimmers come in all shapes and sizes but are normally attached to where you insert your card. If it’s loose or there are signs of glue around the reader, it may be an illegal device. Look out, also, for suspicious holes facing down towards where you would insert your card as a hidden camera could be in place to capture your PIN.
Protect yourself:
Find a cashpoint that you can use in-branch as scammers are far less likely to attach devices there.
Alternatively, consider using a prepaid travel card from providers such as UK Post Office Search results | Post Office ® or check and compare other options Best Travel Cards, Compare Travel Cards in the UK | Top10MobileBanks
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Free roaming has been revoked for many smartphone users so free open wifi networks abroad are now being widely utilised, especially when travelling long-haul, but by using them you risk compromising the information held on your smartphone.
Protect yourself:
You can usually tell if a network uses encryption because it requires a password to join – you could also ask staff at the venue to verify their official Wi-Fi network or use a virtual private network What’s A VPN? & Why You [REALLY] Need One in 2023 (vpnmentor.com) which keeps your connection secure and protects your personal data as you bank, shop and browse online, (it will cost a nominal amount to obtain one).
Alternatively, visit a cafe and use their free wi-fi or wait until you’re back at your hotel where you know there is a secure network.
Check-in phone call
When you check into a hotel, scammers may call reception and ask to be put through to a room number. When you answer they will then pretend to be calling from the genuine hotel reception and ask you to confirm your payment card details, which gives them the necessary information needed to clone your card.
Protect yourself:
If you receive a call from reception asking for payment details, never read out your card number. Tell them you’ll come down to reception and confirm payment in person.
Stay alert to fraud and financial scams abroad – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)